'She was an inspiration to me and my family' - King Charles addresses the nation

King Charles III described the late Queen Elizabeth II as "an inspiration to me and to all my family" as he addressed the nation for the first time since the death of his mother on Thursday.

King Charles acknowledged the Queen's death had brought !great sadness to so many of you and I share that sense of loss beyond measure with you all" and paid tribute to her 70 years of service as monarch.

Prince William replaces the new king as Prince of Wales, with his wife Catherine named Princess of Wales. The King added that "in little over a week's time we will come together as a nation and a global community to lay my beloved mother to rest".

The government earlier stated that a period of national mourning has now started and will continue until the end of the day of the state funeral, the date of which has not yet been officially announced.

It is designed as a time for reflection in response to the Queen's death, although there is no expectation on the public or organisations to observe specific behaviours during the mourning period.

The royal family will undertake a separate period of mourning, lasting until seven days after the funeral.

Former health secretary Matt Hancock, whose constituency includes Newmarket, spoke of the Queen's love of racing as MPs paid tribute to the monarch in a Commons debate.

"Her love of horseracing was perhaps her greatest love outside her duty to her family and her country," he said. "Newmarket of course is the jewel in the crown of horseracing, certainly domestically and probably across the world, and on her many, many visits there she showed that she could walk with sovereigns and the general public alike.

"The twinkle that we have heard so much of, and the genuine smile that came on her face was probably broadest when at a racecourse, as she demonstrated in what was probably her last social public occasion at Ascot."

Hancock recalled how a visit to open the National Horse Racing Museum illustrated the Queen's love of horses.

He said: "She went down the line of dignitaries, she went down and met the public, she gave them her customary focus, but she was clearly doing her duty because the museum is full of retired racehorses, and it was only when she got to the horses that she really lit up. This was Her Majesty at her best. We have lost a great servant."

Former home secretary Priti Patel also remembered the Queen's love of racing.

She said: "For those of us who enjoy horses, and racing in particular, she was well known across not just the country, but around the world for her love and passion for horses.

"On the famous visits to Ascot or Epsom, including for the Derby itself, all of those who attended wanted to just snip that moment with her, looking to catch a glimpse and hoping to get the royal wave – or even a tip.

"No-one did more to champion horseracing in this country than the late Queen. She loved the sport, she loved her horses and, in return, the whole racing industry loved her and will miss her enormously."